The Times THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1938. German War Machine

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 88, 14 April 1938, Page 6

The Times THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1938. German War Machine

In view of recent developments in Europe, considerable attention has been given in the Press of Great Britain and other countries to Germany’s preparedness for war. It lias been generally conceded that Hitler’s policy during the past few years has been based not so much on Germany’s preparedness for war as on the unwillingness of her possible enemies to engage in another gigantic European struggle. The Fuehrer’s recent technique, which admittedly has met with great success, has been to secure his aims by brute force without the necessity of using it.

The Well-known British financial paper, “The Economist,” recently made an analysis of the position, and came to the conclusion that Germany is not as well equipped as in 1914 to face a world war. Some of the main reasons given were flimsy finance, dependence on foreign foodstuffs, lack of iron and oil, a stronger Russian army and a weaker morale among the German people.

In 1914, says the paper, Germany was a creditor country, able to increase her imports from neutral countries. To-day her reservos in gold and foreign currencies are not more than 10 per cent, of the 1914 amount. Therefore, she must rely on herself and hot on neutrals for foodstuffs and essential raw materials. Germany military experts are gravely perturbed lest war should begin “oil bread cards.”

The General Staff is also worried concerning the role Russia will play. Industrial advance there has been so tremendous that Germany can no longer calculate on leaving her eastern frontier uncovered. The output of Russian heavy industry is now almost as large as Germany’s. Russian iron ore production is four times greater. Germany has little petroleum. Russia is the second largest producer in the world.

A German expert, Dr. Hauden, contends that the motorisation of the Soviet army has gone far enough to make it one of the best equipped in the world. Russia leads the world in aircraft. Moreover, her aircraft plants are out of reach of aerial attack. On the other hand, the German General Staff is aware that the Russian railways are undeveloped. It also hopes that the recent purges have weakened the morale and leadership of the Soviet. Nevertheless, it doubts whether a German drive like that of 1915 is possible..

The Reich produces only 7,309,000, tons of iron ore, compared with 28,000,000 tons in 1913. The German position in other respects is worse than in 1914. Germany’s greatest weakness, however, would be oil supplies. She has been unable to meet even her peacetime needs of 5,000,000 tons a year. The German expert, Herr Friedensberg, estimates that her war requirements would be 12,650,000 tons. Lack of oil may well prove to be Germany’s Achille’s heel if Britain and France can keep command of the seas.

The General Staff also has misgivings regarding the quality of man-power available. General von Metzsch, in summing up the lessons of Spain, says: “It is waste to place complicated modern armaments in the hands of untrained men. It will take five years to produce a trained cadre comparable to that of 1914.”

Some military experts are also allowed to express profound misgivings regarding the psychology of the German people. A German officer, Karl Pintschovius, in a book favourably reviewed in Germany, says bluntly: “The fighting spirit of the people has become the most sensitive spot in our front, thanks to the so-called totalitarian war, which will prove our curse rather than our salvation.” The Economist adds that there are other indications that the army leaders are afraid that Nazi terrorism has weakened the morale of the German people.